This ceramic sculpture represents a coat my mother and I found while thrifting, a sustainable practice we both enjoy. I aimed to capture its bold color, pleated movement, and structured collar. The hidden apple textile inside inspired me to add four apples to the piece, symbolizing life, energy, and vibrancy. Just as apples are associated with vitality, wearing this coat fills me with life. As “The Girl in the Green Coat,” I hope to express my true self and the fullness of life!

Inspired by the Roman fountains I encountered while studying abroad, my ceramic bust explores the interaction between human figures and water, particularly influenced by Bernini's Triton Fountain. The piece symbolizes the balance between filling and giving, reflecting my own experience of needing to replenish my energy before nurturing others. The bust’s spiraling pleats, leading to a pool on top of the head, evoke the flow of water around the figure. This work captures the ongoing cycle of giving and receiving, inviting reflection on the importance of self-care and connection.

Bowls, dating back over 18,000 years, have played a significant role in cultures like Ancient China, Greece, Crete, and Native America, serving as both functional and cultural artifacts. Reflecting on my time studying abroad in Rome, I recall passing a dining table in Trastevere at sunset, where a bread bowl surrounded by dirty glasses symbolized a shared, meaningful meal. In my own life, bowls have been central to gatherings, from my mother’s large bowl on the counter to family dinners where one shared bowl encourages connection. Inspired by this, I aim to create bowls that foster conversation and warmth, using comforting green and yellow hues from my own home.